Wind and water can cause soil erosion over time. This is a problem for property managers, farmers, and construction workers. Erosion is when rainwater or fast-moving water transport soil away over time.
It’s usually a long-term, natural process. However, on construction sites and for property owners, it presents short-term problems. Especially when runoff is deposited in water bodies or affects other properties nearby with site contaminants.
Why you need erosion control
We have already discussed erosion control methods to keep soil and other debris off your property. Wind force and water runoff can cause soil to erode.
Erosion can cause foundation damage and contamination on properties and construction sites.
Therefore erosion control is so important in all environments, particularly properties built on slopes or hills. Neglecting erosion control can lead land disputes and pollution.
Erosion Control is an essential step for many local and state governments.Implementing tried-and-true erosion control techniques can help prevent sediment runoff at every stage of construction site development.
Minnesota requires that silt fencing be placed around any area where dirt could be seen.Silt fencing is installed to protect dirt from being displaced by water. Seeding areas that have been exposed to soil is another effective method of erosion control.
Clean Cut Outdoor is the best choice if erosion control is required at your job site.
Erosion Control
The #1 cause of erosion is bare soils. Covering soil will stop dirt being washed away from your site. We can assist with all aspects of erosion control, including sowing seed and blowing straw.
Sediment Control
After erosion, the next line is sediment control. To catch any debris washed off-site, straw rolls or silt fences are used. Clean Cut Outdoor can help you prevent soil from leaving your site.
Water Runoff Control
Any job site must contain water runoff. To keep your project on schedule and within budget, it is important to follow all state and local regulations. Rip rap can be used at the ends to drainpipes and is an example of energy dissipation. This can help control water runoff.
How to Control Erosion
Any measure taken to reduce or eliminate erosion, especially when it affects soil, is called erosion control. You may need to build physical barriers that protect water bodies or properties nearby. This may include strategically planting crops and bushes to absorb rain and wind.
The problem from an engineering perspective is twofold: how to prevent offsite sedimentation while construction is underway and how to stop it after the project is complete.
These are some of the most common items you might find during construction:
- A stone entrance with fabric underlayment. This reduces the chance of mud escaping the site from construction vehicles’ tires.
- Perimeter Silt Fence This allows water surface drain from a specific area but will capture the silt.
- Inlet protection These can either be silt fences around the inlet, or bag systems that prevent sediment from getting into the storm sewer. However, water can still drain.
- Rock Check Dams These dams reduce the velocity of water moving in ditches, which decreases the water’s turbidity.
- Outlet Control Systems: It is common to see new sites designed to channel storm runoff into detention systems, most likely a basin or pond.Any silt from the runoff will settle to the bottom as water builds up in these basins.The outlet structure drains water away from the bottom and drains it into a natural drainage channel.
- Temporary ground cover: This is usually construction seeding.
Upon completion of construction, you may see the following items:
- Construction of terraces: These serve as velocity controls to slow down water’s descent down slopes.
- Gabions These offer permanent slope reinforcement to prevent bank erosion.
- Bioswales – Engineering Soils: Storm runoff can percolate into the soil at the bottom of ditches or swales, reducing the flow to storm sewers.
- Outlet Structures: These structures are similar to the one described above but can sometimes be modified to make them permanent.
- Permanent groundcover: Seeding can be either grass or wild native mixes that have been specifically selected to stop erosion.
Guidelines for Erosion Control
It is a good idea to consult your municipality about erosion control methods. Many municipalities have additional requirements than the federal EPA.
It doesn’t need to be expensive.It doesn’t have to be complicated. It is important to consider how to reduce soil runoff and disbursement in most cases.
